Table of Contents 01 2 Message of the FIVB President Dr Rubén Acosta 3 FIVB History & Mission 4 Beach Volleyball History & Facts 5 Evolution of the Swatch-FIVB World Tour 7 2004 Preview 8 2004 Calendar 9 2003 & 2002 Calendars with Results 10-23 Men’s Top Participating Teams 24-37 Women’s Top Participating Teams 38 Men’s World Rankings 39 Women’s World Rankings 40 Countdown to the Athens Olympics 41 Olympic Beach Volleyball Numbers 42 Rules For You 43 Referees’ Hand Signals 44 FIVB TV Exposure and Property 45 Ecoflag 46 FAQ’S 47 Growth Plan 48 FIVB Contact Details Message of the FIVB President We know Beach Volleyball is a magic mix of sport and entertainment and it is enjoying phe- nomenal growth in many countries, so it is pleasing to welcome another feast of Beach Volleyball action on the Swatch-FIVB World Tour in 2004. This definitively represents the best calendar ever in the young history of Beach Volleyball and The season promises to be outstand- it confirms the positive decisions made by the ing with the highlight obviously FIVB and its partners and creates a solid plat- being the Olympic Games in form to further promote Beach Volleyball at all Athens in August guaranteeing levels and all over the world. fantastic competition season long with men’s and women’s And with an ever-growing sponsorship family - teams gunning for Olympic now including Swatch, Credit Suisse, Nike and qualification. Mikasa - perfectly suited to the energy and lifestyle of Beach Volleyball and the increased It is clear that the interest in presence of media, we look forward to working Beach Volleyball is explod- hand-in-hand again with all players, coaches, ing and the sport is enter- officials, promoters, journalists and sponsors to ing a new era of rapid develop Beach Volleyball even further, on a scale expansion across all that will retain it as one of the world's most pop- areas including television ular summer activities and a hit with public and and media. The phenom- media alike. enal success enjoyed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games has cre- Keep the ball flying! ated a wave of populari- ty in many countries and Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernandez it is set to continue again FIVB President this year, which features an improved calendar including events in five continents, prize money of nearly 5.5 million dollars as well as the five rings competition in Athens. The FIVB History & Mission 03 The seeds of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball were sown at a meeting in the Graf Coffee House in Prague when the Polish, French and (then) Czechoslovak Volleyball Federations discussed declarations of support from the Italian, Yugoslav, Romanian, and Belgian Federations suggesting an “autonomous Volleyball him at the World Congress in Long Beach, commission”. California, USA. Subsequently, the organization of a first The FIVB moved its headquarters to Lausanne, Constitutive Congress was entrusted to the Switzerland the same year bringing it closer to President of the French Volleyball Federation, the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Very Paul Libaud, and it took place in Paris from April soon after Dr. Acosta became Volleyball's 18 to 20, 1947 with the participation of 14 ambassador, promoting the sport in worldwide Federations. The FIVB was born! competitions held in the five continents (Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and Norceca). Mr Paul Libaud was elected first President of the FIVB shortly afterwards and the headquarters Now in 2004 and consisting of 218 affiliated were established in Paris, where they remained federations, the FIVB governs, manages for the first 37 years until 1984. and communicates all forms of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball The first World Championships were organised worldwide. It aims to develop (1949 for men and 1952 for women) and have since Volleyball as a major world remained the biggest event in Volleyball. In 1957 media and entertainment sport the International Olympic Committee included through world class planning Volleyball as a medal sport in the 1964 Olympic and organisation of compe- Games in Tokyo while Beach Volleyball made its titions, marketing and Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games. promotional activities. A big turning point for the FIVB came in 1984 when President Paul Libaud, by then in his late 70s and highly acclaimed for having founded the Federation and making it a significant reality on the world sports stage, resigned while Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernandez was elected new President to succeed Beach Volleyball History & Facts Beach Volleyball: From Depression Diversion to encompassing Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas $$ million Delight with the Athens Olympics the highlight. Born in the depression days of the 1920s in Milestones California, Beach Volleyball has soared to a 1920's Birth of Beach Volleyball in Santa multi million dollar extravaganza and an Monica, California. Olympic sport that has reached 150 1947 First official two-person Beach countries. Volleyball tournament held at State Beach, California. The game soon caught on in Europe 1974 First money tournament – the US$1,500 before slotting perfectly into the San Diego Open. Californian lifestyle in the 1950s 1987 First FIVB international competition and 60s. USA and Brazil then called "The World Championship" in Rio played a major role in trans- de Janeiro. It later changes its name to forming "Beach" into a profes- the World Series in 1989-90 and the sional sport but it was the World Tour in 1996. hard work of the FIVB 1996 First appearance at the Olympic Games. President Dr. Rubén Acosta 2000 Beach Volleyball becomes a smash hit and stars such as Sinjin at the Sydney Olympic Games with Smith and Karch Kiraly that 180,000 spectators and millions of TV established Beach viewers. Volleyball internationally in 2001 More than 120,000 spectators attend the 1980s-90s, becoming an World Championship in Austria. Olympic sport at the 1996 2003 Swatch-FIVB World Tour includes four-leg Atlanta Games. At the "Grand Slam" each carrying US$300,000 same time the FIVB Beach in prize money. Volleyball international cir- 2004 An amazing 25 tournaments, including cuit evolved from the World three-leg Grand Slam, of which 16 are Series to the World Tour included in the Olympic qualifying and exploded in popularity process, with record prize money of in Europe, Latin America US$5,120,000. and Asia. Now in 2004 Beach Volleyball boasts a 25-event World Tour Evolution of the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour 05 It is astonishing to think how international Beach Volleyball has evolved into one of the world’s most popular global sport- ing extravaganzas since its inauguration 15 years ago. Now, in 2004, the season is a landmark for Beach Volleyball, having scheduled 25 tournaments (14 From 1989 when the first inter- men and 11 women), with US$5,120,000 in Prize national Beach Volleyball Tour Money, a three-leg Grand Slam (Berlin, Marseille called the World Series was and Klagenfurt), plus the year's highlight being the unleashed in Rio de Janeiro the final assignment of 24 men and 24 women vacan- circuit has undergone two name cies for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece from changes and a makeover to become August 14-25. one of the most dynamic global sport- ing tournaments in the world. From the beginnings of a three leg season for men in Brazil, Italy and Japan involving 40 ath- letes from seven countries, women were intro- duced three years later before the international cir- cuit was revitalized and the World Championship Series was born in 1995. At that point legs and prize money stood at 17 and US$2.4m respectively thus prompting the transformation into the now famous World Tour. In 2003, the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour embraced 22 stops split between men and women with over 700 athletes from more than 50 countries and a record prize money pool nearing US$5m. While a four-leg Grand Slam, taking in Berlin, Marseille, Klagenfurt, and Los Angeles was included for the first time. 2004 Preview 07 Another gigantic season in store for Beach in 2004 Following a ground-breaking season last year, 2004 has raised the bar again with 25 tournaments and record prize money of US$5,120,000 with the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens guaran- teed to be the highlight. With the Swatch-FIVB World Tour starting in March in Brazil before crossing five different conti- nents and returning to Brazil recognized circuit for Olympic qualification, for the season-ending finale the 2004 season is certain to be intense with 24 in September, Beach vacancies up for grabs in both genders. Sixteen Volleyball players, fans and of the 25 tournaments on the Swatch-FIVB World enthusiasts are in for a Tour have Olympic qualification points up for thrilling season, especial- grabs and will make for a fascinating countdown ly with qualification for towards the greatest sporting event of our era. the Olympic Games also in full swing. But while the Olympic Games will play a big part in the 2004 season, the race to become World The Olympic Games in Ranking champions will also attract much inter- Athens in August est with the Brazilian men's pairing of Ricardo (August 14-25) is the and Emanuel and the women's duo of Ana Paula event of the year, with and Sandra Pires defending their 2003 titles. over 700 athletes and 50 teams vying for a Three Grand Slams in Berlin, Marseille and ticket to the world’s Klagenfurt will also feature while an unprece- sporting spectacle. dented number of Challenger and Satellite Since the Swatch-FIVB events promises to make 2004 a highly success- World Tour is the only ful and dynamic year for Beach Volleyball.